Volume 5 Chapter 42

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Volume 5 Chapter 42: Passing on the Skills as a Teacher

"Ting’er, come to my room for a moment."

After returning to his room, Xu Qingfan suddenly seemed to remember something, and sent a message to Ting’er outside.

Moments later, Ting’er obediently entered Xu Qingfan’s room, standing silently in front of him. Unlike before, she did not lower her head immediately but instead raised it, quietly observing Xu Qingfan with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, as if trying to understand why he called her in alone.

Ever since Ting’er resolved her issues with Xu Qingfan, she no longer hesitated to raise her head and quietly watch Xu Qingfan only when standing behind him. Now, she can meet his gaze without quickly lowering her eyes when he turns around.

Now, Ting’er can confidently lift her head and meet Xu Qingfan’s eyes.

After observing Ting’er for a moment, Xu Qingfan said slowly, "Ting’er, when you went down the mountain with Martial Uncle Liu to search for the materials I needed for a secret technique, you must have witnessed the chaos in both the cultivation world and the mortal world."

Ting’er seemed puzzled, not understanding why Xu Qingfan suddenly asked about this. Despite her indifferent nature, she remembered the shocking events she encountered with Liu Huaxiang during their journey. However, her main concern was always Xu Qingfan, and the suffering of the outside world mattered less to her than even a frown from him.

It is unclear whether Ting’er’s mindset is good or bad for her and Xu Qingfan.

Nevertheless, after hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Ting’er nodded slightly to show understanding.

Xu Qingfan sighed gently and said, "The chaos you saw was not severe. In recent years, the turmoil outside the mountain has intensified. Everyone, from cultivators to ordinary people, lives in fear. Although the Righteous Alliance has calmed the land somewhat, hidden unrest continues to grow stronger. All of this is just a sign of the great disaster to come, which will be unimaginable."

Xu Qingfan noticed Ting’er’s confusion. Her world revolved around him as she lived secluded in the mountain, oblivious to outside matters. He thought briefly about sending her to explore the world, but considering the chaos and his plans for her, he set aside the idea.

After a pause, Xu Qingfan said, "Recently, I reviewed the history books about the cultivation world’s disasters occurring every 2,800 years. I found no previous disaster caused such pre-disaster chaos. I fear this time will be much worse. Being the ninth disaster, which is significant, I sense this will not pass without greater consequences."

At this point, a trace of concern flashed in Xu Qingfan’s eyes, and he continued, "In a perilous nest, it’s hard to find intact eggs. When this great calamity arrives, our Jiuhua, being one of the six Holy Lands in the cultivation world, will inevitably be drawn into it. As the steward protector of Jiuhua…"

With these words, Xu Qingfan paused slightly as if hesitating, and after a moment he continued, "In the future, I may have to lead Jiuhua into deeper troubles. Even without Jiuhua, I must do my utmost to ensure your safety and that of Ningmei and Bai Yu. But with my current strength, achieving this during the calamity is far from enough. So, I’ve decided, in these twelve years before Jiuhua opens its mountain, to focus solely on enhancing my strength. However, with Ningmei and Bai Yu being my new disciples, having just entered the world of cultivation, leaving them unattended feels irresponsible. Every increase in their strength is a step towards their self-preservation, which will ease my worries in the future. Thus, during my seclusion, I hope you can teach them the ways of cultivation for me. Can you do that?"

Saying this, Xu Qingfan gazed intently into Ting’er’s eyes, waiting for her response.

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s request, Ting’er was slightly stunned, as she never expected Xu Qingfan would ask this of her. Though she had already reached the realm of Fake Golden Core Stage, enough to mentor cultivators below the Condensed Core Stage, Ting’er lacked the gift for lengthy teachings like Xu Qingfan.

However, Ting’er, being who she was, had never refused Xu Qingfan, whether planning revenge against him for her kin or holding him as her only one. Whatever Xu Qingfan said, she would do—it was a habit by now. So, though reluctant, she nodded with some difficulty.

Seeing Ting’er eventually nod in agreement, albeit with some reluctance, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but sigh in relief. He then took out two green slips from his sleeve, handing them to Ting’er in front of him, explaining, "These slips contain the guidance and teachings I’ve compiled before leaving for my journey, focused on Ningmei’s Divine Sense cultivation and Bai Yu’s body forging and martial training. Over the next decade, follow these instructions to guide them. When they reach the Inedia Stage, they can directly access the information within the slips."

Upon hearing this, Ting’er finally let out a breath of relief, nodded, and softly replied, "Okay."

Xu Qingfan’s actions had indeed eased her burden somewhat.

Xu Qingfan looked at Ting’er with pity, aware of the difficulty he placed her in, but he had no choice. Increasing his strength rapidly was imperative, and he couldn’t neglect Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu’s training, thus, Ting’er was left with this challenge.

Xu Qingfan sighed quietly to himself, but reminded aloud, "The reason I told you about these great disasters was to help you understand our current situation. Although it seems calm, the danger is growing closer. So during the years I am in seclusion, aside from teaching Ningmei and Bai Yu, you must also continue to develop your own skills."

Ting’er nodded slightly and said softly, "Don’t worry, Uncle, I will do my best."

Seeing the determination in Ting’er’s calm eyes, Xu Qingfan finally felt relieved. He smiled slightly and called out, "You two can come in now, no need to sneak around outside the door."

As Xu Qingfan finished speaking, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu entered the room shortly after. Zhang Ningmei remained composed, but Bai Yu looked a bit embarrassed. Ever since Xu Qingfan returned, Bai Yu had been eager to hear tales from the land below, so he dragged Zhang Ningmei along to wait quietly outside the door.

When Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu came in and stood respectfully in front of Xu Qingfan, joining Ting’er, Xu Qingfan shared his decision to spend twelve years in seclusion, leaving Ting’er to teach on his behalf during this time.

Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu reacted differently to Xu Qingfan’s decision. Zhang Ningmei first frowned slightly, then her expression turned calm again. Being observant, she understood the difference in character between Xu Qingfan and Ting’er. With Ting’er’s reserved nature, teaching might not be as effective as Xu Qingfan’s. However, Zhang Ningmei was someone who adapted easily and didn’t mind much, realizing that learning is as much about the ability of the listener as the skill of the teacher. Besides, she trusted that Xu Qingfan had planned everything well.

Bai Yu was initially stunned, taking a moment to grasp the implication of Xu Qingfan’s words and was surprised. Unlike Zhang Ningmei, he didn’t think about those things and simply asked anxiously, "If you’re going into seclusion, who will teach me martial arts?"

Xu Qingfan smiled gently and said, "I have already organized your future training methods and the martial arts skills you’re interested in, and given them to Ting’er. The same goes for Ningmei’s future training path. If you have any questions, you can ask Ting’er."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words calmed Bai Yu, but looking at Ting’er’s cold expression and small stature, he still found it hard to trust.

Xu Qingfan understood Bai Yu and even Zhang Ningmei’s thoughts, but he didn’t want to say more. Ting’er was someone who would always follow through on her words, at least for Xu Qingfan. Besides, with Ting’er now at the Condensed Core Stage, she was more than capable of guiding them. Xu Qingfan believed that after he went into seclusion, everything would work out well.

"I have prepared some things for you during my recent trip down the mountain, let me distribute them to you now."